UQ pulps Indigenous kids' book over illustrator's alleged anti-Semitism.

Source: lamestream.com.au

TL;DR

The story at a glance

University of Queensland Press (UQP), a subsidiary of the University of Queensland (UQ), pulped all printed copies of Bila, a river cycle, a children's picture book written by Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun. The decision followed media inquiries from News Corp's The Australian accusing Chun of anti-Semitism over past comments on Jewish victimhood and Israel. This occurred after UQP initially put publication on hold for review and legal processes; Lamestream reports it as the first book cancellation citing the anti-Semitism definition adopted by Australian universities last year.[[1]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy/)[[2]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy)

Australian universities, including UQ, endorsed the definition in early 2025 amid campus tensions over Israel-Palestine issues.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/anic.org.au/posts/27th-february-2025aam-and-anic-reject-the-australian-universities-antisemitism-w/1072652671570024)

Key points

Details and context

Lamestream's exclusive reports UQP's move came after The Australian's queries, escalating from an initial hold announced in January 2026 following Chun's op-ed "We don’t mourn fascists," which disputed the antisemitic nature of a Bondi Hanukkah attack and criticised Chabad's role in "settler-colonisation."[[2]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy)[[5]](https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-882180)

The anti-Semitism definition, endorsed by Universities Australia in February 2025, covers "discrimination, prejudice, harassment... that impedes Jews’ ability to participate as equals," and has drawn criticism for potentially stifling Israel-Palestine debate.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/anic.org.au/posts/27th-february-2025aam-and-anic-reject-the-australian-universities-antisemitism-w/1072652671570024)[[6]](https://countercurrents.org/2025/03/submission-to-australian-peoples-inquiry-into-university-restrictions-on-free-speech-on-palestine)

Money, an award-winning poet, had no role in the controversy; Chun received prior taxpayer funding via Creative Australia, which later declined to recoup it.[[7]](https://thejewishindependent.com.au/creative-australia-funding-matt-chun)

No major outlets like ABC, Guardian, or SMH cover the pulping; details rely on Lamestream and The Australian snippets.[[4]](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/publisher-suspends-activist-matt-chuns-book-over-jewish-victimhood-comments/news-story/430d137f36ad2637340618bc29c0a2e6)

Key quotes

"The decision to pulp all 5,000 copies... is reckless and disrespectful, and sets a chilling standard." – Jazz Money, author, to Lamestream.[[2]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy)

“Put the proposed publication on hold pending the outcome of an internal review and external legal processes underway.” – Professor Heather Zwicker, UQP chair, to The Australian.[[2]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy)

Why it matters

Universities' anti-Semitism policies now extend to publishing decisions, potentially chilling free expression on campuses and in affiliated presses amid Israel-Gaza debates. Readers and creators face indirect impacts if books by accused individuals get cancelled pre-release, affecting Indigenous and children's literature availability. Watch UQP's legal review outcome and any author appeals, though future enforcement remains unclear without official UQ statement.

What changed

Printed copies of Bila, a river cycle sat ready for release; UQ now pulps all 5,000 after The Australian's anti-Semitism accusations against illustrator. Initial hold in January 2026 shifted to full cancellation citing policy, as reported April 22, 2026.[[1]](https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-university-of-queensland-scraps-indigenous-childrens-book-citing-controversial-anti-semitism-policy/)

FAQ

Q: What triggered UQP's decision on the book?

A: Media queries from The Australian accusing illustrator Matt Chun of anti-Semitism over comments like calling Chabad "Zionist Jewish-supremacist" and disputing Bondi victims' innocence. UQP first held publication for review, then pulped copies under anti-Semitism policy.

Q: Who wrote and illustrated Bila, a river cycle?

A: Award-winning Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money wrote it; Matt Chun illustrated. It's an environmental picture book about a river learning from polluted people, started in 2022.

Q: What is the controversial anti-Semitism policy cited?

A: Definition adopted by Australia's universities last year via Universities Australia, covering discrimination impeding Jewish participation; Lamestream calls this its first book cancellation use.

Q: How did Jazz Money respond to the pulping?

A: She described it as "reckless and disrespectful" to Lamestream, saying it "sets a chilling standard" despite her unrelated involvement.